Unwarranted Intrusions: The Case Against Government Intervention in the Marketplace

By Martin S. Fridson

What happens when politicians substitute their wisdom for the market's? The result is usually a government subsidy that provides advantage to a special interest group only-but costs everyone and drains the economy. In Unwarranted Intrusions , well-known financial commentator Martin Fridson turns his sharp eye for uncovering opaque financial reporting practices to the U.S. government and examines the economic reality of some of the most popular yet financially draining subsidies. Fridson debunks programs that claim to provide jobs, encourage savings, provide affordable housing, and preserve family farms-among many others. Unwarranted Intrusions is a provocative and exhaustively researched challenge to prevailing political claims of programs that purport to protect the public good.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471687138
• ISBN13: 9780471687139
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 309 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.1" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding presentation of governmental economic nonsense

I agree with nearly everything that the author says. His arguments against the economic effectiveness of government subsidies and intervention in the markets appeal to my libertarian streak and it is well known that many (most?) of the government programs are economically counterproductive. Some are downright silly. One of the most ridiculous, primarily because it went all the way to the United States Supreme Court, is the...

What She Said

Check out Dr Trixie above. Then read the book--after you buy it. Then check out the rest of the works of Fridson, as clear a writer on finance and political economy as there is. Blessed with ironic detachment from and a forgiving heart for the stupid and greedy who make our policies and populate our markets.

Great book!

Great text from Fridson - a must-read for anyone with any interest in the inner workings of the U.S. government's involvement in economy. Fridson exposes inefficiencies all over the place without sparing either side of the aisle. The writing is well-versed, but at the same time extremely easy to follow.

Stick It Where It Hurts

Citizens, rejoice! Marty Fridson, the D'Artagnan of finance, is back with his sharp and delicate sword, this time taking on the world of subsidy. Fridson is the eminently readable writer, historian, and Wall Street financial whiz whose books "It Was A Very Good Year" and "How To Be A Billionaire" offer wicked glimpses into the world of wealth accumulation, happily skewering the institutions from which all our rich fantasies...

Excellent primer on government's negative role in society

Fridson is amazing. The research here is exhaustive, but at the same time highly accessible and enlightening. Fridson quotes everyone from classical economists such as Ricardo to contemporary politicians in showing how unwarranted intrusions by the government into our lives invariably makes us much worse off. For those who love to debate, this book is a must. Fridson uncovers the various myths about Ethanol, payola, and...